They were apathetic because people get tired of voting to keep asshats out, they want to vote to put good people in. FTR, I always vote. But I am sick of voting against Republicans. I want to vote FOR something. Unfortunately the Democratic party has been so milque-toast in the last ten years, and has only gotten worse in the last two years, that they aren't putting up candidates that I can get excited about. Panda says that she now realizes how different Republicans and Democrats are, and I guess this recent nonsense doe indicate that, but the Democrats have allowed political discourse to move so far rightward that I would hardly call them liberal. I want liberal forking candidates for once.

I would prefer a candidate that I cared about as well. But if an election comes by and I have to make a choice between the two parties I'd prefer to make that choice than not vote. I don't want a liberal candidate, I want some progressives. That or citizenship on my own private island where I make all the rules, eat cookies all day and give safe haven to any kid whose parent doesn't like them because they're queer. I will also take in stray cats. And an island pig named Bernie.

_________________Panda With Cookie If I get caught as a fugitive eating chain pizza, its going to be Pizza Hut. -linanilanil

Oh, I'm painfully aware of the reasons that nationwide voters are apathetic (I feel it every day!), but for the 2010 election in Wisconsin, we had two liberal Democrats as candidates. Two genuinely progressive candidates that I was (am!) really proud of and excited about, people I could genuinely enthuse about when I was talking to prospective voters. That's why I'm so bummed about all this. There was no reason for this to happen!

I thought I would just about die when my party put up Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama -- I didn't like any of those candidates at all because they barely represented what I wanted for my country. None of them are liberal except in the ways similar to not wanting to overturn Roe v. Wade are now considered "liberal." I campaigned HARD against all of them in their respective primaries (Bradley '00, Dean '04, and... well, in the '08 primaries I voted for Mike Gravel because I just didn't give a fork anymore). But those are the candidates the Democrats voted to represent us, so that's who I had to canvass and vote for in the end. It's been a long, hard slog realizing that it isn't about me or what I personally believe, it's about what's best for the country; as such, I feel like I just have to work as hard as I possibly can to slow the Republicans' ruination of America. I'm exhausted from having to vote and campaign for a stream of bland centrist multi-millionaires, but I've also become pretty well aware that the progressive movement is on its way out thanks to the abject failure of the media (who are now simply entertainment providers) and the post-GWB exaltation of unabashed bigotry. So.

I've never cared much about politics but it seems in recent years that doesn't seem to be sustainable as our government is going to hell. I remember voting against the Republican candidate for governor in MD because I thought his ads were so stupid. He focused on high unemployment and other economic changes, indicating they all happened when the Democratic governor was in office. Duh. I don't consider myself a Democrat but definitely not Republican either. What do we do?

_________________You are all a disgrace to vegans. Go f*ck yourselves, especially linanil.

Does anyone have any ideas for how a person in Canada could help out? My mom has been incredibly upset about this (she worked as a teacher for 25 years (Edmonton Public Local 37!)) and wants to help out. I forwarded her the donation link that Stephanie posted above (thanks, Stephanie!), and I told her that maybe if she contacted her union or one of the locals where she now lives that they would have information, but I thought I'd see if any PPKers had any ideas. She's happy to donate money, but she doesn't have all that much extra. I think she'd like to feel like she's getting involved.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks!

_________________These shitbirds should pay for their own elections if they aren't going to be obligated by any democratic pretense. - MumblesDon't you know that vegan meat is the gateway drug to chicken addiction? Because GMO and trans-fats. - kaerlighed

Stephanie comes through again! Thanks! That Vegan Protest Fuel link is fantastic. I'm definitely going to send a few bucks their way, and I bet my mom will be stoked on it as well.

_________________These shitbirds should pay for their own elections if they aren't going to be obligated by any democratic pretense. - MumblesDon't you know that vegan meat is the gateway drug to chicken addiction? Because GMO and trans-fats. - kaerlighed

Ian's posted on Facebook today that someone sent them a tonne of vegan muffins for the protesters.

_________________A whole lot of access and privilege goes into being sanctimonious pricks J-DubDessert is currently a big bowl of sanctimonious, passive aggressive vegan enduced boak. FezzaYou people are way less funny than Pandacookie. Sucks to be you.-interrobang?!

A couple of potentially promising updates to give y'all. Statewide, about 45% of the signatures needed to recall the eight eligible Republicans have been collected. Additionally, the first district-level polls (of districts where recall efforts are underway against Republicans) were released yesterday. In five-six of the eight districts, recall has a decent chance of succeeding. In three of the districts, the serving Republican already trails a "generic Democrat". Only two or three districts are so red to really be out of play.

Portrait Of A Protest: Madison, Wisconsin by Kevin J. MiyazakiThese portraits were made on the sidewalk outside the Wisconsin state capital building in Madison. During the protests, the unofficial theme, expressed in words, drum beats and car horns, has been, "This is what Democracy looks like!" This is what Democracy looked like to me, in the form of faces, signs, buttons, and hard hats. Thanks to everyone who stopped their peaceful protesting to have their picture taken.

Jon Stewart pointed out that all the Fox talking heads are members of AFTRA and or SAG, which are unions, and the reason why they get paid more than some random shrill moron off the street.

I can't understand people who benefit from a union being anti-union.

He's also now pointed out (as have others) that FOX commentators are a bunch of hypocrits for being against "overpaid teachers" that make $50,000 and have (GASP!) medical insurance/retirement funds while being pro-rich tax cuts and they also make millions. Today I saw a repeat of the show where Samantha B went to see the "rich" cribs of two teachers. Very lower-middle class and one didn't even have a TV!

_________________A bunny's a delightful habit, no home's complete without a rabbit.--Clare Newberry

Keep on keepin' on, doncherry.Do you have any idea how much of a chance the recall petitions have of affecting the anti-union bill? Last I heard it was blocked in court from going on the books but that was only temporary.

_________________Panda With Cookie If I get caught as a fugitive eating chain pizza, its going to be Pizza Hut. -linanilanil

Nothing will come of it but a movement to impeach Florida's governor hit the web. Gov. Rick Scott was also boo'd at the Tampa Bay Rays season opener.

Keep that pressure on your government, Wisconsin!

_________________A whole lot of access and privilege goes into being sanctimonious pricks J-DubDessert is currently a big bowl of sanctimonious, passive aggressive vegan enduced boak. FezzaYou people are way less funny than Pandacookie. Sucks to be you.-interrobang?!

Ahhh! As of right now (11pm or so Eastern), the wisconsin supreme ct. race is pretty much a dead heat with both candidates at 50%. Prosser (the Walker ally) has been slightly ahead for most of the night, but not by much. I don't know which areas have and have not reported already, so depending on where is left, things could change a lot. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://www.jsonline.com/) is tracking the votes as districts report if anyone's in the mood for a sleepless night!

Meanwhile, I'm back in NYC.. my boss wanted me back here on a few other projects, but hopefully I'll get to go back out and work closer to the actual recall elections.